Maia Song Contest 18

The Maia Song Contest 18 was the eighteenth edition of the Maia Song Contest. It was held in D'unelaleh, following their win in the previous edition with Kimbra and her song "Top of the World".

Bidding process
After D'unelaleh's victory in the seventeenth edition, their delegation revealed the possibility of hosting the contest either in the capital city, Callington, the largest city New Oestia, or D'unelaleh's fastest growing city Enalavh.

DFB and the MBU announced the conditions under which cities and venues could announce their interest in hosting the contest.


 * The host city had to be near a major airport.
 * The venue must be available for the rehearsal period before the contest and one week after the conclusion of the contest
 * The venue must not be open-air, but an air-conditioned building with a capacity of at least 10,000 and a minimum ceiling height of 15 metres (49 ft), insulated for sound and light.
 * The green room must be located as close to the arena as possible (or within it), with a capacity of 300.

Sixteen cities submit official bids to the D'unelalehi broadcaster D'unelaleh Federal Broadcaster (DFB), in order to be the host city for the eighteenth edition. Eleven of these cities continued to show interest in hosting the event which were Amalcà, Callitington, Dubhpool, Enalavh, Etagall, Jungjia, Misbis, New Oestia, Noomanul, Rentsek and Tansikunatar. DFB announced on 6 May 2018 that nine of those cities were shortlisted in the final stage of the bidding process in order to determine the host city of the eighteenth edition: Amalcà, Callitington, Enalavh, Etagall, Jungjia, Misbis, New Oestia, Noomanul and Tansikunatar.

Possible locations within the cities included the following:

Host venue

Semi Final 1
Playlist available here. Recap available here

Scoreboard available here.

, and  voted in this semi final.


 * 1.American Sign Language was also used during the live performance.

Semi Final 2
Playlist available here. Recap available here

Scoreboard available here.

, and  voted in this semi final.

Grand Final
Playlist available here. Recap available here.

Full scoreboard available here. Scorewiz available here.

Foronian copyright issues
Following the conclusion of the first semi-final broadcast, Foronian record label Facing The Sun declared that they did not give permission for the song to be entered into the Maia Song Contest, threatening legal action. The MBU responded that the company should have been aware of the submission prior to the show's transmission, removing the first semi-final recap from YouTube until an agreement can be met. However, as "Antilopa" qualified to the final, it will be performed by TITA at the contest once again - with the company threatening to sue the MBU for copyright infringement.

Sexual performance controversy
In the second semi-final, Uslye was represented by Jelena Karleuša and Dara Bubamara	with the Serbian-language song "Puno košta". The performance was accompanied by the artists performing a scantily-clad choreography in which one of the performers' nipples were almost visible. This led to several complaints from national regulators to the competing broadcasters, with some religious and women's rights groups calling the performance "offensive". The MBU responded that Uslye did not violate the rules of the contest, adding that the performance could also be interpreted as "female empowerment".

Other countries
Eligibility for potential participation in the Maia Song Contest requires a national broadcaster with active MBU membership that would be able to broadcast the contest. The MBU issued an invitation of participation in the contest to all active members.

Active MBU countries

 * - As a result of scheduling conflicts, Radiokrug Breški announced its withdrawal for an edition. The country intends on returning in the nineteenth edition.
 * - Due to recent budget cuts on the Lussantian broadcaster, along with worker strikes, it has been speculated that the country may rule out participating in the eighteenth edition of the contest. In a communiqué, ČVTM announced on 22 April 2018 that they will decide about participation later on, thus putting it in jeopardy. On April 28, the broadcaster made its withdrawal from the contest official. A return in the nineteenth edition is "likely".
 * - Despite originally confirming to participate, Namawaka Television withdrew the islands from the contest on May 14th due to administration issues.
 * - On 6 May 2018, the Prudhommian Broadcaster (PrB) announced their withdrawal from the contest, citing financial crisis and budget restrictions as factors that influenced this decision. A return in the nineteenth edition is "likely".
 * - As a result of struggles within the broadcaster, the Otaku Republic on 30 April 2018 announced its withdrawal from the contest, whilst adding that they intend to return.
 * - Despite an original plan to return to the contest for the eighteenth edition, the broadcaster confirmed on 13 May 2018 that they would unfortunately not be able to fulfil their promise due to financial issues. A return to the nineteenth edition has not been ruled out.

Associate MBU countries

 * - Reports from Arkaystia stated that the national broadcaster NTA would be willing to aid the national broadcaster of Dunwaye financially if they wanted to return to the contest.
 * - There have been talks about a possible return to the song contest with TF sparking a possible return to the song contest. The last contest they entered was in Maia Song Contest 14.
 * - Reports from Arkaystia stated that the national broadcaster NTA would be willing to aid the national broadcaster of Svu or Swae financially if they wanted to return to the contest.